rob's TL--1 - Lyn #10

[robin]

@Andrew
Thanks mate, but read my next post lol.

[robin]

Quick update time.

But no photos this time as I think the overcast conditions combined with a camera phone and my total lack of photography skills are making it impossible to capture the true colour. I’ve tried with several different background colours but none can actually capture the true magnificence of the nondescript colour of this guitar! Lol.

I know that TO will naturally “amber up”, so I am trying a clear Minwax Wipe-on-Poly this time. Which reminds me, how is the Naughty Room going these days? Room for a repeat offender?

What I have learnt is that, especially with blue dyes, the wood (or in this case the veneer) has to be as light as possible. Basswood is excellent and obviously flame/quilted Maple also works very well. The veneer top has turned quite dark and taken on a slight brownish/green tinge whereas the basswood back is the lovely blue colour I was hoping for. I should have gone with my gut feeling and just gone for a natural wood finish. It would have looked amazing. Meh, 20/20 hindsight etc. :\

I have decided to persevere with more coats of MW hoping that it might darken enough to be less noticeable, but right now to say that I am a bit disappointed is an understatement.

But it’s no big deal, I’ve been lucky with all my builds so far, so I can’t complain. I have spent more money on hardware upgrades than the cost of the original kit so worst case scenario is buy a “bare-bones” kit and start again. No big deal.

Compared to most of the rest of the world my “1^st World” problems seem slightly insignificant. I have to keep reminding myself how blessed we are living in OZ.

I’ll keep you posted as I will probably have some more what NOT to do tips before this build is over.

Cheers guys
rob.

[stan]

fight on Rob. Early building adventures are 90% what not to do and 10% blind luck....

[Nickosaurus]

You know what they say about one man's trash... Maybe sell it onwards for a profit/cost after it's all done?

[robin]

Thanks Stan and Nick for the encouragement. I have not given up yet, blind luck may still pull me through. As always my guitars stand or fall on how well they play not on their looks, so I may still have a winner yet.

cheers guys
rob

[robin]

A quick update.

This build continues to test and frustrate me.

I finally managed to get a photo that somewhat resembles the colour. I have no idea why the colour changed so much with the clear Poly. Maybe that particular veneer is not suitable for dyeing or I stuffed it up in some way. I would really like to know, but will probably never find out. At first I really HATED it but funnily enough I am now starting to like it a bit (well, not hate it so much). It is certainly unique.

After 4 coats of Poly I tried to cut it back a wee bit with some 800 grit that I had soaked in soapy water. I applied no pressure and just let the paper do the work. Being soapy water, as I sanded it lathered up a bit, and to my horror when I wiped it off in places I had cut through the poly and into the dye!! It now sort of looks like those brand new jeans you could buy that looked dirty, grungy, ripped and faded, before you even put them on.

More of a problem is after a few coats of Poly the veneer has cracked and split open in places. From day one the veneer was very brittle and fragile, maybe that’s how veneer is, or the hot iron was the wrong method for gluing, I don’t know enough to say. Also the blister has re-appeared, so obviously my glue application was pretty rubbish. It’s got several coats of Poly already so it’s too late to re-apply some heat to it, so I might have to end up splitting the blister and re-apply some glue.

I figure I only have a few options right now. Relic it, paint it, scrap it, or just keep going. I have decided on the last.

I am intrigued to see how this one turns out. What I had hoped would be a pretty blue guitar has ended up being a rough, butt-ugly brute. But it might just end up being that ugly shirt/car/puppy that you end up loving. Time will tell.

The journey continues.

Cheers guys
rob

[pablopepper]

What a pain. I am scared to death of final wet sanding. I have never pulled it off without a small disaster. And guess what I've got lined up for myself on the weekend....

It's definitely a unique looking finish you've got there. How does it compare to the sides/back? I know its not what you planned for, but I think it looks great.

[Nickosaurus]

That looks great! I know it's not a lot of people's cuppa but blue/greys are some of my favourite mixes. The bit of purple hinting through the headstock looks really nice too.

[robin]

What a pain. I am scared to death of final wet sanding. I have never pulled it off without a small disaster. And guess what I've got lined up for myself on the weekend....

It's definitely a unique looking finish you've got there. How does it compare to the sides/back? I know its not what you planned for, but I think it looks great.

Thanks Pabs,
My research on the interwebs said wet sand 800 after 3 or 4 coats. I will probably double that next time and start with 1000/1200. Don't apply any pressure.

The back and the sides (being basswood) look OK. The sides are black and the back is the blue I was shooting for, so I know the ink can work as a dye, just not with that veneer.

Good luck with your sanding mate,
rob

[robin]

@Nick
Thanks mate, it does have that "wartie" grow on you affect. Lol.

Cheers mate.